Accessory for multimedia console

ABSTRACT

A multimedia console incorporating an alphanumeric keyboard, and a musical key-bed is described for generating multimedia work product conveniently when coupled with a digital personal computer or optionally as a stand alone music equipment. The musical key-bed is detachably coupled with a protective cover for providing ergonomic support when, said musical key-bed is not being used.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an input device for generatingmultimedia information with digital processor. In particular, thepresent invention pertains to a versatile accessory for providing inputinformation to digital processor and music equipment for generatingmultimedia work product.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Input devices such the keyboard and mouse are well known in the personalcomputer industry for providing text and command to the digital computerfor generating multimedia work products. Although the industry initiallymarketed such input devices as discrete accessories, the advent of theinternet and the requirement for multimedia information have promptedinput device manufacturers to extend the capability of stand alone inputdevices to cater to the needs of authors of multimedia work products.

At the same time, the music industry evolved from a mainly analogueworld to a digital one: music synthesizers and music compositionprograms contributed significantly to the origination of musical outputfrom the music industry. The popularity and acceptance of internet nodoubt hastens this process.

While the multimedia console of Singapore patent application no.200001593-3 provided realistic simulation of musical key-bed instrumentssuch as piano, organ or harpsichord; string instruments such as guitaror banjo were difficult to emulate.

It is an object of the present invention to incorporate stringinstrument input function into an unitary input device.

It is another object of the present invention to consolidate thetext/command and a broad range of musical input functionality into anintegrated keyboard for facilitating the origination of multimedia workproduct.

It is yet another object of the present invention to disable physicallythe musical input functionality while it is not required while providingergonomic benefits to the user of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A multimedia console incorporating an alphanumeric keyboard and amusical key-bed and a string instrument module is described forgenerating multimedia work product conveniently when coupled with adigital personal computer or optionally as a stand alone musicequipment. When the musical key-bed functionality is not required, apalm rest cover converts the top surface area of the musical key-bedinto an ergonomic support for the user's hands. In a second embodiment,a string instrument module encourages users of personal computers andmusic instrument players alike to generate original multimedia workproducts effectively and economically.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top, plan, elevational view of a first embodiment of thepresent invention with the palm rest cover being removed and exposingthe top surface of the musical key-bed.

FIG. 2 is a right side, partial elevation view of a second embodiment ofthe present invention highlighting the string instrument module beforeit is coupled with the multimedia console.

FIG. 3 is top, plan, elevational view of the multimedia console of FIG.2 showing the string instrument module being coupled thereto.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a top, plan, elevational view of applicants multimedia consoleas described in Singapore patent application no. 20001593-3 filed on 20Mar.

2000. A multimedia console 5 comprises a housing 10 for receiving akeyboard 20, a musical key-bed 30, a pointing device 40 and a protectivecover 60. In the preferred embodiment, the keyboard 20 is an extendedQWERTY keyboard that features a full alphanumeric key set and functionkey set. Disposed substantially parallel with and below the keyboard 20is the musical key-bed 30 which is integrated with the console 5. Thepointing device 40 can either be a touch pad or a mouse for directingthe cursor on an onboard display (not shown in figures) or optionally ona display screen of a digital personal computer (also not shown infigures).

When the musical key-bed 30 is not used, the user may place theprotective cover 60 over the length of the musical key-bed 30. Thiscover 60 not only serves to as a palm rest for the key-bed 30, but alsoprovides the user with the ergonomic benefits of such a protectivecover. It should be understood by one skilled in the art that prolongand uninterrupted use of the keyboard 20 may cause psychological changesto the user's fingers and palms.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the pointing device 25 is also integrated aspart of the multimedia console. Here, the distance between thealphanumeric key pads of the keyboard 20 and the pointing device 40 iskept at a minimum. As such, the user can control the process ofcomposition of multimedia work product optimally. It should beunderstood by one skilled in the art that the pointing device can beeither a mouse, touch pad or equivalent accessory for controlling thedirection and command of a cursor on a display screen (not shown).

Referring again to FIG. 1, a plurality of jacks 50 are disposedstrategically on the side of housing 10 for securing thereon a strap(not shown). Such a strap facilitates a musician or user in carrying themultimedia console on his or her shoulders in generating musical signalswith the musical key-bed.

Not shown but understood by one skilled in the arts is a link (not shownin figures) between the multimedia console 5 and the processor unit (notshown in figures). As mentioned briefly above, the processor can be adigital signal processor or a dedicated processor or an embedded chip.The link can be internal or can be a cable based on existing industrystandards such as PS2 or Universal Serial Bus (USB) in combination withMIDI. In other instances, the multimedia console of the presentinvention can have a wireless link such as infrared or radio frequency.

With the multimedia console 5, authors and creators of multimediacontent or even everyday user of personal computer can generatemultimedia work product such as new web application on the spot withoutrelying on traditionally dedicated equipment. As such, the cycle timefor the origination of multimedia work product can be reducedtremendously. The multimedia console 5 of the present invention comeswith the flexibility of disabling the musical key-bed 30 with a toggleswitch (not shown). Alternatively, the protective cover 60 is detachablylaid over the top surface of the key-bed 30 when the key-bed 30 is notrequired. The protective cover 60 also provides ergonomic support forthe user.

While the multimedia console 5 is a adequate accompaniment for theorigination of multimedia work product, the range of musical instrumentsrepresented is limited. For instance, the musical key-bed 30 simulatesthe input strokes of a piano or organ player. However, stringinstruments such as guitar or banjo is difficult to emulate with themultimedia console 5.

FIG. 2 is a right side, partial elevation view of the embodiment of thepresent invention highlighting the string instrument module before it iscoupled with the multimedia console. The string instrument modulecomprises an accessory module 80 and a housing 90 that is detachablycoupled to a interface receptable 65 that is previously occupied by thepointing device of applicants Singapore patent application no.20001593-3. Instead of the pointing device, the space is taken by acover 45 and the interface receptable 65. Disposed within the interfacereceptacle 65 is at least one electrical interface for the accessorymodule 80.

Again in FIG. 2, the accessory module 80 further comprises a pluralityof strings 82 that are arranged substantially parallel with each other.The vibration of strings is sent to an analog-to-digital converter 84(not shown in the figure but understood to be embedded in the module orwithin the body 10). The electrical signals from the accessory module 80are transmitted via wires 86 to the console via the electrical interface70. The accessory housing 90: is capped over the accessory module 80before the entire assembly is coupled to the interface receptacle 65 onthe console.

FIG. 3 is top, plan, elevational view of the improved multimedia console100 of the present invention showing the string instrument housing 90being coupled thereto. The string instrument housing 90 is locatedwithin the easy reach of the user such that the strings 82 can beplucked just as any guitarist or banjo player. Of course, the accessorycover 45 has to be removed: from the interface receptacle 65 before theaccessory housing 90 can be coupled with the improved multimediaconsole.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Thepresently disclosed embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in allrespects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the inventionbeing indicated by the appended claims and all changes which come withinthe meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are, therefore, to beembraced therein.

1. An improved multimedia console comprising: at least one keyboard forinputting alphanumeric information; at least one musical key-bed forgenerating non string musical signals; said keyboard and said musicalkey-bed being integrated for facilitating the generation of multimediawork product; and said musical key-bed being detachably coupled with aprotective cover for providing ergonomic support when said musicalkey-bed is not being used.
 2. An improved multimedia console as claimedin claim 1, further including at least one accessory module forsimulating musical string instruments.
 3. An improved multimedia consoleas claimed in claim 2, wherein said accessory module is detachedlycoupled to said multimedia console.
 4. A multimedia console as claimedin claim 2, wherein the at least one accessory module comprises a stringinstrument module and a module housing, the module housing beingdetachably coupleable with an interface receptacle in the multimediaconsole.
 5. A multimedia console as claimed in claim 4, wherein thestring instrument module comprises a plurality of strings and ananalog-to-digital converter.
 6. A multimedia console as claimed in claim4, wherein a pointer device is locatable in the interface receptaclewhen the at least one accessory module is not coupled in the interfacereceptacle.
 7. A multimedia console as claimed in claim 6, wherein thestring instrument module comprises a plurality of strings and ananalog-to-digital converter.
 8. A multimedia console as claimed inclaimed 4, wherein the interface receptacle comprises at least oneelectrical interface for the at least one accessory module.
 9. Animproved multimedia console as claimed in claim 1, wherein theprotective cover is a palm rest and cover.
 10. An improved multimediaconsole according to as claimed in claim 9, further including a bottomhousing having a plurality of jacks for securing thereon at least onestrap for allowing one to carry said console on one's shoulder.
 11. Amultimedia console comprising: a housing; at least one alphanumerickeyboard located in the housing for inputting alphanumeric information;at least one musical key-bed located in the housing for generatingmusical signals; and a protective cover for covering the musical key-bedand for providing ergonomic support when the musical key-bed is notbeing used; whereby said keyboard and said musical key-bed face the samedirection, are: substantially parallel, and are integrated with theconsole for facilitating the generation of multimedia work product. 12.A multimedia console as claimed in claim 11, wherein there is providedat least one accessory module for simulating musical string instruments;the at least one accessory module being releasably coupleable with themultimedia console.
 13. A multimedia console as claimed in claim 12,wherein the protective cover is removed from the musical key-bed beforethe at least one accessory module is coupled with the multimediaconsole.
 14. A multimedia console as claimed in claim 12, wherein the atleast one accessory module comprises a string instrument module and amodule housing, the module housing being detachably coupleable with aninterface receptacle in the multimedia console.
 15. A multimedia consoleas claimed in claim 14, wherein a pointer device is locatable in theinterface receptacle when the at least one accessory module is notcoupled in the interface receptacle.
 16. A multimedia console as claimedin claim 14, wherein the interfaces receptacle comprises at least oneelectrical interface for the at least one accessory module.
 17. Amultimedia console as claimed in claim 11, wherein the protective coveris a palm rest and cover.
 18. A multimedia console as claimed in claim11, wherein the housing comprises a bottom having a plurality of jacksfor securing thereon at least one strap for allowing the multimediaconsole to be carried by a user when in use.